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Brief Biography

Thomas Scudder was probably born in Kent, England. The Rev. Henry Scudder identified his brother as Thomas with wife Elizabeth as living in New England in his will of 1651; Rev. Scudder is otherwise known to have had extensive property in the area of Darenth, Kent County. Thomas is thought to have owned property in the nearby community of Horton Kirby. It seems likely that both Henry and Thomas were born in this area.

Thomas married Elizabeth whose last name is unknown. Some have identified her as either Elizabeth "Somers" or Elizabeth "Lowers", sister of John Somers/Lowers of Darenth, Kent County, but that person seems to have been the wife of Henry Scudder the clerk. The names of the children of the later couple are similar to those known for Thomas Scudder of Salem, based on his will, but are not identical. On that basis it is concluded that Thomas' wife is not likely to be the sister of John Somers/Lowers. Given the proximity of Derenth, where John Somers/Lowers lived, to Horton Kirby, it would seem likely that Henry Scudders the clerk is in fact closely related to Thomas Scudders and to the Rev. Henry Scudder.

Darenth =red dot, Horton Kirby=Green dot; both in Kent County

Thomas emigrated to America in 1635 during the Great Migration. He was accompanied by his wife Elizabeth, and children, all of whom had been born in England. The family settled in Salem, Massachusetts. Thomas died there in 1657. In 1645 Thomas, his wife Elizabeth, their sons and daughter Elizabeth are identified as living in New England in the will of his brother, the Reverend Henry Scudder. The provisions in Rev. Scudder's will suggest that he was from Daranth in Kent County, southwest England, and it is assumed that Thomas came from that same area as well.